Different Ways to Say NO in English - Learn English with Harry

Different Ways to Say NO in English - Learn English with Harry English native speakers like to be polite. If you havent already visited How to say sorry in English, go and do it now. Here Im going to teach you different ways to say NO in English. Learn formal and informal ways of saying NO.  The word NO is very short and negative and emphatic. However, sometimes when we wish to say NO  there are more polite ways to do it. I have set out below a number of different ways to say NO in English  that you can use in different circumstances. Examples are given to help to explain the meaning  better. Sometimes when we want to say NO we try not to be rude or to hurt someone’s feelings so we  prefer to use a variety of words that still mean NO. Here are some useful English words and expressions that mean NO. Polite Ways to Say NO in English I AM AFRAID NOT This is probably one of the most polite ways to say NO in English. You may be asked to go to a party or meet your friends for something to eat. You  would like to go but for some reason you are unable to attend. In this situation you can turn down  the invitation in a polite way.For example,   your friend Mary asks: Are you going to come to the party  tonight in Ian’s house? I am afraid not I promised to babysit for my Aunt and I cannot let her down.NOT REALLY Not quite, not particularly. In this situation you are asked what you might like to do. You would prefer to do  something else or indeed you might prefer to do nothing. Here you can use the phrase Not Really.For example, Irina asks whether you would like to go to the cinema to see the new James Bond movie. You would  prefer to stay in . You reply not really I would prefer to stay at home tonight I have an early start  tomorrow. Ways to Say NO in English - Infographic Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: Facebook Reddit Twitter Vkontakte POSSIBLY/PROBABLY NOT Where you may not feel that you are likely to succeed but you are still going  to try then you can use either Probably or Possibly not.For example, you are about to take your  driving test. Your friend asks you whether you will pass it. You can reply probably not but I will try  my best. You can also use perhaps not with the same meaning.For example, will Javier pass that  maths test? I am not sure, perhaps not but he is studying hard.NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE This is a much more formal denial. This would be best used in a business  context where you do not really know the person, to whom you are talking, very well.For example, David comes into your office to ask if the latest shipment from London has arrived. Not to  my knowledgebut I was away yesterday so it could have come in when I  was not here. I will check and get back to you. Less Polite Ways to Say NO in English CERTAINLY NOT This is a much more firm denial or refusal and can be used when you want the person  you are talking to, to be clear as to what you mean.For example, your son asks you if he can cycle  to his friends house to watch the match. You reply: Certainly not. The match ends at 11 pm and you  have school tomorrow and it is too dangerous to cycle back home so late. There is no doubt that you  mean no.YOU MUST BE JOKING When you cannot believe that someone is serious about something you can  use the phrase you must be joking or you’re joking? (no !).For example, your wife tells you that your neighbours are getting divorced. Wow, you’re joking ? They only got married 2 years ago. What happened?NO WAY! Sometimes said as a joke or also as a more serious statement. Usually used to tell  somebody that you cannot agree with what they have said.For example, your friend asks you to  lend him €50 . You reply: No way! I still didn’t get back the last €50 I lent you last month!! orYour friend Michael calls you to tell you he is leaving his job to go back to University to become a pilot.  You reply: No way! That is great news. It’s what you always wanted to do. English Vocabulary Phrases to Learn to turn down to refuseto let somebody down to disappoint somebodyshipment deliveryThats it for today. Make sure to use other ways to say NO in English in your next conversation.